CIVIC RECEPTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 5

CIVIC RECEPTION

FURLOUGH MEN WELCOMED

CEREMONY LAST SATURDAY

Crowds thronged, the footpaths again on Saturday to witness the second civic welcome-home to the latest batch of furlough men. The parade was under the command of Major Wilson of the Home Guard, and, consisted not only of returned men from the present war but also members of the R.S.A.

The public was only interested impersonally at first, but as the Pipe band swung into the lead all hearts went out to the boys who had come back, and the enthusiasm of the public was amply demonstrated by the. way in which they pack eel, closely round on all sides of, the parade.

As the men passed the Avar mem- ; orial in the centre of the town, the ; natural reserve of the crowd broke , down, and round after round of ap- j plause rang out, then as they carried 011 up to the Winter Show , Buildings, many of the spectators , broke away, and hurried on in order . to watch the parade pass into the hall, where the speakers were assembled. A Sincere Welcome His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, was the lirst to take the platform, and welcomed the men back in his own inimitable manner. He quoted from telegrams received from Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., extending a welcome to the boys and apologising for his absence, and also from the Edgecumbe Patriotic Committee, conveying a welcome to all returned servicemen of the present war to their gymkhana which was held the same day. Continuing. MiBarry mentioned the entertainments which had been prepared in readiness for their return home such as the "smoko," and said that even though there was a shortage of supplies it should in 110 way ellect the happiness of the men. "It. Is a long time," he said, "since we farewelled you, but in that time, you have, as we expected you would, added lustre and glory to the name of New Zealand. Wc have, no means of adequately expressing our admiration for you." I/n conclusion he extended a very sincere welcome home to all the furlough men and those who had, returned recently from overseas. County Sentiments Mr J. L. Burnett, Chairman of the Whakatanc County Council next spoke, and on behalf of the people of the Wliakatane County extended a welcome to the boys. He. commented on how "well' the men looked after the conditions tlicy had been forced, to live under "over there," and said that although many of them had travelled extensively, lie doubted whether they had found, or would ever find, a country as good as New Zealand. Speaking of the campaigns the men had been through he mentioned, the, prominent part which had been played by New Zealanders, and said that although our ultimate goal was, still a long way off, our men had done much to bring it closer. L'n closing, he wished the men a good time while they were in New Zealand, and said that although he was sorry that some of them had to go back he they would go back to liettor conditions than when they enlisted. Maori Welcome Chief Ive Keepa Tawhio next wel«i corned the return men in Maori, with A. O. Stewart as interpreter. In extending a greeting, the Chief said: "It is meet that we should be here to greet these men who have gone through so much for us. I can only repeat what the previous speakers have said in that wc are. ex-* trcmely glad to have you back pgain with us. It is a pity however, that our joy is somewhat tempered, by the thoughts of those of your comrades who have made the. supreme sacrifice. According to Maori tradi-i tions, the warrior goes forth to do or die, and so the joy is so greater when lie returns. In conclusion,, I can only repeat the Maori welcorac —Haere mai, Haerc mai, Haere mai, Tcna Koutou, Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou." From the R.S.A. Mr J. Delves, President of the Returned Services' Association, "eprcsented the R.S.A. in. extending a • welcome saying the men of the first N.Z.E.F. were extremely proud of the men of the 2nd N.Z.E.I', who had so gloriously carried on the tradition of the New Zealanders in the First World War. Continuing, he said that the battle was not finj ished when the men returned home, : but, that they must still fight to re- • habilitate themselves into civilian > life. The R.S.A. offered all the as- . sistmce possible to returned men . and their wives and families, and • 1 (Continued in nest column)

he hoped the. men would not be slow in accepting tlioic oiler. Men's Appreciation Captain H. Brabant, in reply, spoke on bchall". of the men, thanking all the speakers for their kind remarks, and said that in New Zealand at any rate, our men seemed to have adopted, a retiring disposition. Consequently., he apologised on behalf of those returned men not present at the parade. Many of them, he said were still cleaning up the: aftermath of the llood, and Avere unable to get. into town. He thanked the public of Whakatane for the reception accorded them, and the two bands which had turned out to welcome them. He also made special mention of the work of various local bodies such as the Red Cross and the Patriotic Committees, which, he said, did so much to keep up the morale of the troops with their regular parcels and mail. Mr Barry next called for three cheers for tin; returned men to which the public heartily responded, while the band struck up "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows." In. closing 1 , His Worship the Mayor extended 1 the sympathy of the public to Mr A. O. Stewart who had had' two of hfs sons killed in action and two wounded (one just recently). "We all admire you greatly," said Mr 1 Barry, "and on behalf of the public, I extend my heartfelt Sympathy towards you." Captain Brabant dismissed the ' parade while a closing anthem was i rendered by the Boys' Band. The names of those returned men 1 present are as under: Captain H. VV. ■ Chambers, Sgt A. Head, Gnr M. G. 1 Shaw, Lieut D. Stewart. Sgt T. ' Horopapera, Capt H. W. Brabant, Capt W, Rangi, Spr G. Partes.